Disinfecting compositions

ABSTRACT

Disinfecting compositions comprising a peroxygen bleach, glutaraldehyde, an antimicrobial essential oil and an amphoteric surfactant, preferably useful in combination with an amine oxide surfactant. The compositions are especially for cleaning and disinfecting hard surfaces.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to antimicrobial compositions which can beused to disinfect and clean various surfaces including animate surfaces(e.g., human skin, mouth and the like) and inanimate surfaces including,but not limited to, hard surfaces like wails, tiles, table tops, glass,bathroom surfaces, kitchen surfaces, dishes as well as fabrics, clothes,carpets and the like.

BACKGROUND

Antimicrobial/antibacterial compositions include materials which havethe ability to disinfect. It is generally recognised that a disinfectingmaterial greatly reduces or even eliminates the micro-organisms, e.g.,bacteria, existing on a surface. Compositions based on halogencontaining compounds like hypochlorite, or on quaternary compounds, havebeen extensively described in the art for disinfecting purpose.Compositions comprising peroxide bleach are also known as disinfectingcompositions.

However, compositions based for example on peroxide bleach as the onlyantimicrobial compound (typically 7% by weight of the totalcomposition), are not fully efficacious, especially when used uponhighly diluted conditions, e.g. at a dilution level of 1:50(composition:water) to disinfect soiled surfaces, e.g., surfaces whichneeds both to be washed and disinfected. Indeed, the presence of organicand/or inorganic soils decreases the bactericidal activity of manyantimicrobials like peroxygen bleach, resulting thereby in a lowerbactericidal activity/disinfection power of compositions comprisingthem.

It is thus an object of the present invention to provide compositionswhich deliver excellent disinfection on soiled surfaces, especiallyheavily soiled surfaces, even when used upon highly diluted conditions.

It has now been found that this can be achieved by combining differentantimicrobial compounds together, i.e., by combining a peroxygen bleach,an amphoteric surfactant, or a mixture thereof, glutaraldehyde and anantimicrobial essential oil or an active thereof, or mixtures thereof.More particularly, it has been found that a composition comprising saidperoxygen bleach, said amphoteric surfactant, said glutaraldehyde andsaid antimicrobial essential oil or active thereof provides excellentdisinfection on soiled surfaces including heavily soiled surfaces, evenunder highly diluted conditions, i.e., up to a dilution level of saidcomposition to water from 1:100.

An advantage of the present invention is that excellent disinfection isprovided under soiled conditions on a broad range of bacterial strainsincluding Gram positive and Gram negative bacterial strains but alsomore resistant micro-organisms like fungi.

Another advantage of the compositions of the present invention is thatbeside the disinfection properties delivered, good cleaning performanceis also provided.

Also, the compositions according to the present invention are suitableto be used on all types of surfaces including animate surfaces (e.g.,human skin and/or mouth when used as an oral preparation or toothpaste)and inanimate surfaces. Indeed, this technology is particularly suitablein hard-surfaces applications as well as in laundry applications, e.g.,as a laundry detergent or laundry additive in a so called "soakingmode", "through the wash mode", or even as a laundry pretreater in a"pretreatment mode". More particularly, the compositions according tothe present invention are suitable to be used on delicate surfacesincluding those surfaces in contact with food and/or babies in a safemanner. Indeed, when using the compositions according to the presentinvention in diluted conditions, the amount of chemical residues leftonto a surface disinfected therewith is reduced. Thus, it may be notnecessary to rinse for example a hard-surface after the compositions ofthe present invention have been applied thereto in diluted conditions.

Yet another advantage of the compositions of the present invention isthat they may be provided in different forms, e.g., in a liquid formpackaged in a conventional detergent bottle, or in a sprayable orfoamable form packaged in a spray/foam dispenser, or in the form ofwipes incorporating such a composition, or in a non-liquid form.

EP-B-288 689 discloses a liquid for hard-surfaces comprisingantimicrobial effective amounts of pine oil and at least one oil solubleorganic acid. No other antimicrobial compounds are mentioned, let alonea peroxygen bleach.

EP-241390 discloses that textiles contaminated with bacteria may bedisinfected by first treating with a detergent and then with a peroxidebleaching agent in an aqueous bath at pH 9-13 in the presence of noncomplexed calcium. No other antimicrobial compounds are disclosed.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,404,191 discloses that per-compounds such asmonopersulfate have bactericide, fungicide and virucide properties. U.S.Pat. No. 4,404,191 discloses that compositions comprising monopersulfatemay be used in diluted form to treat hard-surfaces. However, no otherantimicrobial compounds are disclosed.

EP-A-667 392 discloses hard-surface cleaning compositions comprisinghydrogen peroxide and a surfactant/thickening component comprising alkylether sulphate surfactant together with amine oxide or betaine. Thecompositions therein have a pH of from 7 to 10. No other antimicrobialcompounds are disclosed, let alone essential oils or actives thereof, orglutaraldehyde.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,403,587 discloses aqueous antimicrobial compositionswhich can be used to clean, sanitise and disinfect hard-surfaces. Moreparticularly, U.S. Pat. No. 5,403,587 discloses aqueous compositions (pH1 to 12) comprising essential oils (0.02% to 5%) which exhibitantimicrobial properties efficacy such as thyme oil, eucalyptus oil,clove oil and the like, and a solubilizing or dispersing agentsufficient to form an aqueous solution or dispersion of said essentialoils in a water carrier. Said compositions may further comprise otherantimicrobial ingredients like phenolic compounds, quaternary ammoniumcompounds, however no amphoteric surfactants, or peroxygen bleaches aredisclosed.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,368,749 discloses compositions for inhibiting the growthof aerobic micro-organisms including bacteria and fungi, saidcompositions including an oxidant and glutaraldehyde. The oxidants maybe selected from the group of chlorine, bromine, monopersulfate,perborate, hydrogen peroxide, peracetic acid, and percarbonate. Theoxidant is said to exhibit a synergistic effect when added toglutaraidehyde. No other antimicrobial compounds like essential oils oractives thereof, or amphoteric surfactants are disclosed.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,852,210 discloses aqueous oxygen releasing compositionssuitable for a wide range of applications in the industry and householdfor example as laundry bleaching detergents or as hard-surface cleaners.The germicide and bactericide activity of said compositions make it alsosuitable for medical application. Said compositions (pH 2 to 10)comprise an active oxygen yielding compound, e.g., hydrogen peroxide(0.1-50%), a betaine or sulfobetaine (0.5-50%) such as cetylbetaine orlaurylsulfobetaine and nonionic polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene blockcopolymer surfactants having a water solubility of at least one gram per100 ml of water and a molecular weight within the range of 1,000 to15,000. No other antimicrobial compounds are disclosed let aloneessential oils or actives thereof, or glutaraldehyde.

J-60038497 discloses a foam-generating two components detergentcomposition comprising (a) an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide(0.5%-50%), (b) an alkaline compound containing an alkaline substancehaving 0.1% to 50% alkalinity expressed in terms of NaOH, like NaOH,KOH, Na2CO3. One of the two components (a) and (b) of said detergentcompositions comprises a surfactant, e.g., amphoteric surfactants,and/or at least one compound selected from terpene alcohols, cyclicterpene alcohols and their esters like geraniol. The compositions inJ-60038497 are intended to clean soils on hard materials like plastics,joints, and particularly difficult to clean recesses or corners. Noglutaraldehyde is disclosed. Also no reference is made to disinfection.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention encompasses a disinfecting composition comprisinga peroxygen bleach, an amphoteric surfactant, glutaraldehyde and anantimicrobial essential oil, or an active thereof.

The present invention further encompasses a process for disinfecting asurface wherein a composition comprising a peroxygen bleach, anamphoteric surfactant, glutaraldehyde and an antimicrobial essential oilor an active thereof, is applied onto said surface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The disinfecting compositions according to the present inventioncomprise a peroxygen bleach, an amphoteric surfactant, glutaraidehydeand an antimicrobial essential oil, or an active thereof.

The compositions according to the present invention may be formulatedeither as liquids or non-liquids (e.g., gel, pasty form or solid formlike powder or granular form). In the case where the compositions areformulated as solids, they will be mixed with an appropriate solvent,typically water, before use. In liquid form, the compositions arepreferably but not necessarily formulated as aqueous compositions.Liquid compositions are preferred herein for convenience of use.

As an essential element the compositions according to the presentinvention comprise a peroxygen bleach or mixtures thereof. Preferredperoxygen bleach is hydrogen peroxide, or a water soluble sourcethereof, or mixtures thereof. Hydrogen peroxide is most preferred to beused in the compositions according to the present invention.

It is believed that the presence of said peroxygen bleach especiallyhydrogen peroxide, persulfate and the like, in the compositions of thepresent invention contribute to the disinfection properties of saidcompositions. Indeed said peroxygen bleach may attack the vital functionof the micro-organism cells, for example it may inhibit the assemblingof ribosomes units within the cytoplasm of the microorganism cells. Alsosaid peroxygen bleach like hydrogen peroxide, is a strong oxidizer thatgenerates hydroxyl free radicals which attack proteins and nucleicacids. Furthermore, the presence of said peroxygen bleach, especiallyhydrogen peroxide provides strong stain removal benefits which areparticularly noticeable for example in laundry and hard surfacesapplications.

As used herein a hydrogen peroxide source refers to any compound whichproduces hydrogen peroxide when said compound is in contact with water.Suitable water-soluble sources of hydrogen peroxide for use hereininclude percarbonates, persilicates, persuiphates such asmonopersulfate, perborates and peroxyacids such as diperoxydodecandioicacid (DPDA), magnesium perphthalic acid and mixtures thereof.

In addition, other classes of peroxides can be used as an alternative tohydrogen peroxide and sources thereof or in combination with hydrogenperoxide and sources thereof. Suitable classes include dialkylperoxides,diacylperoxides, preformed percarboxylic acids, organic and inorganicperoxides and/or hydroperoxides.

Typically, the compositions herein comprise at least 0.01% by weight ofthe total composition of said peroxygen bleach or mixtures thereof,preferably from 0.1% to 15%, and more preferably from 1% to 10%.

As a second essential ingredient, the compositions according to thepresent invention comprise an amphoteric surfactant or mixtures thereof.It is speculated that said amphoteric surfactants have a twofold action.Indeed, they help disinfection by increasing the permeability of thebacterial cell wall, thus allowing other active ingredients to enter thecell. Also said surfactants contribute to the cleaning performance ofthe compositions herein.

Furthermore due to the mild action profile of amphoteric surfactants,especially of betaine and/or sulphobetaine surfactants, the compositionsherein are particularly suitable for the cleaning of delicate surfaces,e.g., delicate laundry or surfaces in contact with food and/or babies,especially when used under diluted conditions. For example betaineand/or sulphobetaine surfactants are also extremely mild to the skin,and thus contribute to the convenience of use of the compositions of thepresent invention by the user.

Preferred amphoteric surfactants include betaine and sulphobetainesurfactants, derivatives thereof, and mixtures thereof. Suitable betaineor sulphobetaine surfactants to be used in the compositions of thepresent invention are the betaine/sulphobetaine and betaine-likedetergents wherein the molecule contains both basic and acidic groupswhich form an inner salt giving the molecule both cationic and anionichydrophilic groups over a broad range of pH values. Some common examplesof these detergents are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,082,275, 2,702,279and 2,255,082, incorporated herein by reference. Preferred betaine andsulphobetaine surfactants are according to the formula ##STR1## whereinR1 is an alkyl radical containing from 1 to 24 carbon atoms, preferablyfrom 8 to 18, and more preferably from 12 to 14, wherein R2 and R3contain from 1 to 3 carbon atoms, preferably 1 carbon atom, wherein n isan integer from 1 to 10, preferably from 1 to 6 and more preferably is1, Y is selected from the group consisting of carboxyl and sulfonylradicals and wherein the sum of R1, R2 and R3 radicals is from 14 to 24carbon atoms, or mixtures thereof.

Examples of particularly suitable betaine surfactants include C12-C18alkyl dimethyl betaine such as the coconutbetaine and C10-C16 alkyldimethyl betaine such as the laurylbetaine.

Coconutbetaine may be commercially available from Seppic under the tradename Amonyl 265® and laurylbetaine may be commercially available fromAlbright & Wilson under the trade name Empigen BB/L®.

Other preferred amphoteric surfactants to be used herein include amineoxides or mixtures thereof. Amine oxides contribute to the disinfectingproperties of the compositions herein. Indeed, they help disinfection bydisrupting the cell wall/membrane of the bacteria, thus allowing otherantimicrobial ingredients to enter the cell and for example attack theinner part of the cell.

Suitable amine oxides to be used herein have the following formula R₁ R₂R₃ NO wherein each of R1, R2 and R3 is independently a saturated linearor branched hydrocarbon chain containing from 1 to 30 carbon atoms.Suitable amine oxides to be used according to the present invention areamine oxides having the following formula R₁ R₂ R₃ NO wherein R1 is ahydrocarbon chain containing from 1 to 30 carbon atoms, preferably from6 to 20, more preferably from 6 to 14 and most preferably from 8 to 10,and wherein R2 and R3 are independently substituted or unsubstituted,linear or branched hydrocarbon chains containing from 1 to 4 carbonatoms, preferably of from 1 to 3 carbon atoms, and more preferably aremethyl groups. R1 may be a saturated linear or branched hydrocarbonchain.

Preferred amine oxides for use herein are for instance natural blendC8-C10 amine oxides as well as C12-C16 amine oxides commerciallyavailable from Hoechst.

In one embodiment of the present invention where the compositions hereinare particularly suitable for the disinfection of a hard-surface, thesurfactant is typically a surfactant system comprising an amine oxideand a betaine or sulphobetaine surfactant, preferably in a weight ratioof amine oxide to betaine or sulphobetaine of 2:1 to 100:1. The use ofsuch a surfactant system in the compositions herein suitable fordisinfecting a hard-surface, provides effective cleaning performance andprovides shine on the cleaned surfaces, i.e., the amount offilming/streaking left on the cleaned surface that has been treated withsaid compositions is minimal.

Typically, the compositions herein comprise at least 0.005% by weight ofthe total composition of said amphoteric surfactant, or mixturesthereof, preferably from 0.01% to 10% and more preferably from 0.1% to5%.

As a third essential ingredient, the compositions according to thepresent invention comprise glutaraldehyde. Glutaraidehyde may becommercially available from Union Carbide or from BASF.

Typically, the compositions herein comprise at least 0.003% by weight ofthe total composition of glutaraldehyde, preferably from 0.008% to 4%,and more preferably from 0.2% to 2%.

As a fourth essential ingredient, the compositions according to thepresent invention comprise an antimicrobial essential oil or an activethereof or mixtures thereof.

Suitable antimicrobial essential oils to be used in the compositionsherein are those essential oils which exhibit antimicrobial activity. By"actives of antimicrobial essential oil" it is meant herein anyingredient of essential oils that exhibit an antimicrobial activity. Itis speculated that these antimicrobial essential oils and activesthereof act as proteins denaturing agents. Also said antimicrobial oilsand actives thereof are compounds of natural origin which contribute tothe safety profile of the compositions of the present invention whenused to disinfect any surface. A further advantage of the presence ofsaid antimicrobial oils and actives thereof is that they impart pleasantodor to the disinfecting compositions of the present invention withoutthe need of adding a perfume. Indeed the disinfecting compositionsaccording to the present invention deliver not only excellentdisinfecting properties on soiled surfaces to be disinfected but alsogood scent.

Such antimicrobial essential oils include but are not limited to thoseobtained from thyme, lemongrass, citrus, lemons, oranges, anise, clove,aniseed, cinnamon, geranium, roses, mint, lavender, citronella,eucalyptus, peppermint, camphor, sandalwood and cedar and mixturesthereof. Actives of essential oils to be used herein include, but arenot limited to, thymol (present for example in thyme), eugenol (presentfor example in cinnamon), menthol (present for example in mint),geraniol (present for example in geranium or rose), verbenone (presentfor example in vervain), eucalyptol (present for example in eucalyptus),cedrol (present for example in cedar), pinocarvone, carvacrol, anethol(present for example in aniseed) hinokitiol, berberine, terpineol,limonene, ratanhiae and mixtures thereof. Preferred actives of essentialoils to be used herein are thymol, eugenol, verbenone, eucalyptol,limonene and/or geraniol.

Thymol may be commercially available for example from Aldrich andeugenol may be commercially available for example from Sigma orBioindustries (SBI), or Manheimer Inc.

Typically, the compositions herein comprise at least 0.003% by weight ofthe total composition of said antimicrobial essential oil or activethereof or mixtures thereof, preferably from 0.006% to 10%, and morepreferably from 0.01% to 4%.

It has now been found that improved disinfection is delivered by thecompositions of the present invention on soiled surfaces includingheavily soiled surfaces, even at high dilutions levels, i.e., up to adilution level of said composition to water of 1:100.

By "heavily soiled surfaces" it is meant herein surfaces beingcontaminated by organic and/or inorganic soils in an amount beingequivalent to a water solution of 0.3 g/l bovine albumines and hardwater (see dirty conditions of European Standard prEN 1276, CEN/TC 216N59 from 11/95).

By "improved disinfection" it is meant herein that the compositions ofthe present invention comprising said peroxygen bleach, said amphotericsurfactant, glutaraldehyde and said antimicrobial essential oil oractive thereof, allow to reduce the amount of bacteria on a heavilysoiled surface, as compared to the same compositions without saidperoxygen bleach, said amphoteric surfactant and said glutaraldehyde, orto the same compositions without said antimicrobial essential oil oractive thereof, especially when used in diluted form. Indeed excellentdisinfection is obtained on various microorganisms including Grampositive bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus, and Gram negative bacterialike Pseudomonas aeruginosa, as well as on fungi like Candida albicanspresent on heavily soiled surfaces.

Disinfection properties of a composition may be measured by thebactericidal activity of said composition. A test method to evaluate thebactericidal activity of a composition is described in EuropeanStandard, prEN 1276, CEN/TC 216 N 59, dated November 1995 issued by theEuropean Committee for Standardisation, Brussels. European Standard,prEN 1276, specifies a test method and requirements for the minimumbacterical activity of a disinfecting composition. This test is passedif the bacterical colonies forming units (cfu) are reduced from a 10⁷cfu (initial level) to a 10² cfu (final level after contact with thedisinfecting product), i.e. a 10⁵ reduction of the viability isnecessary. The compositions according to the present invention pass thistest under heavily soiled conditions, even if used in highly dilutedconditions.

Another test method suitable to evaluate the bactericidal activity ofthe present compositions on heavily soiled surfaces, especiallyhard-surfaces, is AFNOR T72-190® and T72-301®.

The compositions according to the present invention may be applied tothe surface to be disinfected in their neat form or in their dilutedform and are preferably applied in their diluted form.

By "diluted form" it is meant herein that the compositions according tothe present invention which are in a liquid form or in a solid form maybe diluted with a liquid, typically water by the user. Said compositionsmay be diluted by the user typically up to 100 times their weight ofwater, preferably into 80 to 40 times their weight of water and morepreferably 60 to 30.

Accordingly, the present invention also encompasses diluted disinfectingcompositions obtainable by diluting in water a composition according tothe present invention.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention where saidcompositions are aqueous liquid compositions. Said aqueous compositionshave a pH as is preferably of not more than 12, preferably from 3.5 to7, and more preferably from 4 to 5. The pH of the compositions can beadjusted by using organic acids like citric acid, succinic acid, aceticacid, aspartic acid, lactic acid and the like, or inorganic acids, oralkalinising agents.

The compositions of the present invention may further comprise anysurfactant known to those skilled in the art including nonionic,anionic, cationic and/or, zwitterionic surfactants. Said surfactants aresuitable as they further contribute to the cleaning performance of thecompositions herein.

Typically, the compositions according to the present invention compriseup to 50% by weight of the total composition of another surfactant, ormixtures thereof, on top of said amphoteric surfactant or mixturethereof, preferably from 0.3% to 30% and more preferably from 0.4% to25%.

The compositions of the present invention may preferably comprise ananionic surfactant, or mixtures thereof. Particularly suitable anionicsurfactants to be used herein include water-soluble salts or acids ofthe formula ROSO₃ M wherein R is preferably a C₆ -C₂₄ hydrocarbyl,preferably an alkyl or hydroxyalkyl having a C₈ -C₂₀ alkyl component,more preferably a C₈ -C₁₆ alkyl or hydroxyalkyl, and M is H or a cation,e.g., an alkali metal cation (e.g., sodium, potassium, lithium), orammonium or substituted ammonium (e.g., methyl-, dimethyl-, andtrimethyl ammonium cations and quaternary ammonium cations, such astetramethyl-ammonium and dimethyl piperdinium cations and quaternaryammonium cations derived from alkylamines such as ethylamine,diethylamine, triethylamine, and mixtures thereof, and the like).

Other suitable anionic surfactants to be used herein includealkyl-diphenylether-sulphonates and alkyl-carboxylates. Other anionicsurfactants can include salts (including, for example, sodium,potassium, ammonium, and substituted ammonium salts such as mono-, di-and triethanolamine salts) of soap, C₉ -C₂₀ linearalkylbenzenesulfonates, C₈ -C₂₂ primary or secondary alkanesulfonates,C₈ -C₂₄ olefinsulfonates, sulfonated polycarboxylic acids prepared bysulfonation of the pyrolyzed product of alkaline earth metal citrates,e.g., as described in British patent specification No. 1,082,179, C₈-C₂₄ alkylpolyglycolethersulfates (containing up to 10 moles of ethyleneoxide); alkyl ester sulfonates such as C₁₄ -C₁₆ methyl ester sulfonates;acyl glycerol sulfonates, fatty oleyl glycerol sulfates, alkyl phenolethylene oxide ether sulfates, paraffin sulfonates, alkyl phosphates,isethionates such as the acyl isethionates, N-acyl taurates, alkylsuccinamates and sulfosuccinates, monoesters of sulfosuccinate(especially saturated and unsaturated C₁₂ -C₁₈ monoesters) diesters ofsulfosuccinate (especially saturated and unsaturated C₆ -C₁₄ diesters),acyl sarcosinates, sulfates of alkylpolysaccharides such as the sulfatesof alkylpolyglucoside (the nonionic nonsulfated compounds beingdescribed below), branched primary alkyl sulfates, alkyl polyethoxycarboxylates such as those of the formula RO(CH₂ CH₂ O)_(k) CH₂ COO--M⁺wherein R is a C₈ -C₂₂ alkyl, k is an integer from 0 to 10, and M is asoluble salt-forming cation. Resin acids and hydrogenated resin acidsare also suitable, such as rosin, hydrogenated rosin, and resin acidsand hydrogenated resin acids present in or derived from tall oil.Further examples are given in "Surface Active Agents and Detergents"(Vol. I and II by Schwartz, Perry and Berch). A variety of suchsurfactants are also generally disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,929,678,issued Dec. 30, 1975 to Laughlin, et al. at Column 23, line 58 throughColumn 29, line 23.

Preferred anionic surfactants for use in the compositions herein are theC8-C16 alkyl sulfonates, C8-C16 alkyl sulfates, C8-C16 alkyl alkoxylatedsulfates (e.g., C8-C16 alkyl ethoxylated sulfates), and mixturesthereof. Such anionic surfactants are preferred herein as it has beenfound that they contribute to the disinfecting properties of adisinfecting composition herein. For example, C8-C16 aikyl sulfate actsby disorganizing the bacteria cell menbrane, inhibiting enzymaticactivities, interrupting the cellular transport and/or denaturingcellular proteins. Indeed, it is speculated that the improveddisinfecting performance further associated with the addition of ananionic surfactant, especially a C8-C16 alkyl sulfonate, a C8-C16 alkylsulfate and/or a C8-C16 alkyl alkoxylated sulfate, in a composition ofthe present invention, is likely due to multiple mode of attack of saidsurfactant against the bacteria. Thus, another aspect of the presentinvention is the use of an anionic surfactant, especially a C8-C16 alkylsulfonate, a C8-C16 alkyl sulfate and/or a C8-C16 alkyl alkoxylatedsulfate, in a disinfecting composition of the present invention toimprove the disinfecting properties of said composition on gram negativeand/or gram positive bacteria.

The compositions of the present invention may preferably comprise anonionic surfactant, or mixtures thereof. Suitable nonionic surfactantsfor use herein are fatty alcohol ethoxylates and/or propoxylates whichare commercially available with a variety of fatty alcohol chain lengthsand a variety of ethoxylation degrees. Indeed, the HLB values of suchalkoxylated nonionic surfactants depend essentially on the chain lengthof the fatty alcohol, the nature of the alkoxylation and the degree ofalkoxylation. Surfactant catalogues are available which list a number ofsurfactants, including nonionics, together with their respective HLBvalues.

Particularly suitable for use herein as nonionic surfactants arehydrophobic nonionic surfactants having an HLB (hydrophilic-lipophilicbalance) below 16, preferably below 15 and more preferably below 14.Those hydrophobic nonionic surfactants have been found to provide goodgrease cutting properties.

Preferred hydrophobic nonionic surfactants to be used in thecompositions according to the present invention are surfactants havingan HLB below 16 and being according to the formula RO--(C₂ H₄ O)_(n) (C₃H₆ O)_(m) H, wherein R is a C₆ to C₂₂ alkyl chain or a C₆ to C₂₈ alkylbenzene chain, and wherein n+m is from 0 to 20 and n is from 0 to 15 andm is from 0 to 20, preferably n+m is from 1 to 15 and, n and m are from0.5 to 15, more preferably n+m is from 1 to 10 and, n and m are from 0to 10. The preferred R chains for use herein are the C₈ to C₂₂ alkylchains. Accordingly, suitable hydrophobic nonionic surfactants for useherein are Dobanol® 91-2.5 (HLB=8.1; R is a mixture of C₉ and C₁₁ alkylchains, n is 2.5 and m is 0), or Lutensol® TO3 (HLB=8; R is a C₁₃ alkylchains, n is 3 and m is 0), or Lutensol® AO3 (HLB=8; R is a mixture ofC₁₃ and C₁₅ alkyl chains, n is 3 and m is 0), or Tergitol® 25L3(HLB=7.7; R is in the range of C₁₂ to C₁₅ alkyl chain length, n is 3 andm is 0), or Dobanol® 23-3 (HLB=8.1; R is a mixture Of C₁₂ and C₁₃ alkylchains, n is 3 and m is 0), or Dobanol® 23-2 (HLB=6.2; R is a mixture ofC₁₂ and C₁₃ alkyl chains, n is 2 and m is 0), or Dobanol® 45-7(HLB=11.6; R is a mixture of C₁₄ and C₁₅ alkyl chains, n is 7 and m is0) Dobanol® 23-6.5 (HLB=11.9; R is a mixture of C₁₂ and C₁₃ alkylchains, n is 6.5 and m is 0), or Dobanol® 25-7 (HLB=12; R is a mixtureof C₁₂ and C₁₅ alkyl chains, n is 7 and m is 0), or Dobanol® 91-5(HLB=11.6; R is a mixture of C₉ and C₁₁ alkyl chains, n is 5 and m is0), or Dobanol® 91-6 (HLB=12.5; R is a mixture of C₉ and C₁₁ alkylchains, n is 6 and m is 0), or Dobanol® 91-8 (HLB=13.7 R is a mixture ofC₉ and C₁₁ alkyl chains, n is 8 and m is 0), Dobanol® 91-10 (HLB=14.2; Ris a mixture of C₉ to C₁₁ alkyl chains, n is 10 and m is 0), or mixturesthereof. Preferred herein are Dobanol® 91-2.5, or Lutensol® TO3, orLutensol® AO3, or Tergitol® 25L3, or Dobanol® 23-3, or Dobanol® 23-2, ormixtures thereof. These Dobanol® surfactants are commercially availablefrom SHELL. These Lutensol® surfactants are commercially available fromBASF and these Tergitol® surfactants are commercially available fromUNION CARBIDE.

Other suitable surfactants also include C6-C20 conventional soaps(alkali metal salt of a C6-C20 fatty acid, preferably sodium salts).

The compositions herein may further comprise a chelating agent as apreferred optional ingredient. Suitable chelating agents may be any ofthose known to those skilled in the art such as the ones selected fromthe group comprising phosphonate chelating agents, aminophosphonatechelating agents, substituted heteroaromatic chelating agents, aminocarboxylate chelating agents, other carboxylate chelating agents,polyfunctionally-substituted aromatic chelating agents, biodegradablechelating agents like ethylene diamine N,N'- disuccinic acid, ormixtures thereof.

Suitable phosphonate chelating agents to be used herein includeetidronic acid (1-hydroxyethylene-diphosphonic acid (HEDP)), and/oralkali metal ethane 1-hydroxydiphosphonates.

Suitable amino phosphonate chelating agents to be used herein includeamino alkylene poly (alkylene phosphonates),nitrilotris(methylene)triphosphonates, ethylene diamine tetra methylenephosphonates, and/or diethylene triamine penta methylene phosphonates.Preferred aminophosphonate chelating agents to be used herein arediethylene triamine penta methylene phosphonates.

These phosphonate/amino phosphonate chelating agents may be presenteither in their acid form or as salts of different cations on some orall of their acid functionalities. Such phosphonate/amino phosphonatechelating agents are commercially available from Monsanto under thetrade name DEQUEST®.

Substituted heteroaromatic chelating agents to be used herein includehydroxypiridine-N-oxide or a derivative thereof.

Suitable hydroxy pyridine N-oxides and derivatives thereof to be usedaccording to the present invention are according to the followingformula: ##STR2## wherein X is nitrogen, Y is one of the followinggroups oxygen, --CHO, --OH, --(CH2)n--COOH, wherein n is an integer offrom 0 to 20, preferably of from 0 to 10 and more preferably is 0, andwherein Y is preferably oxygen. Accordingly particularly preferredhydroxy pyridine N-oxides and derivatives thereof to be used herein is2-hydroxy pyridine N-oxide.

Hydroxy pyridine N-oxides and derivatives thereof may be commerciallyavailable from Sigma.

Polyfunctionally-substituted aromatic chelating agents may also beuseful in the compositions herein. See U.S. Pat. No. 3,812,044, issuedMay 21, 1974, to Connor et al. Preferred compounds of this type in acidform are dihydroxydisulfobenzenes such as1,2-dihydroxy-3,5-disulfobenzene.

A preferred biodegradable chelating agent for use herein is ethylenediamine N,N'- disuccinic acid, or alkali metal, or alkaline earth,ammonium or substitutes ammonium salts thereof or mixtures thereof.Ethylenediamine N,N'- disuccinic acids, especially the (S,S) isomer havebeen extensively described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,704,233, Nov. 3, 1987 toHartman and Perkins. Ethylenediamine N,N'- disuccinic acid is, forinstance, commercially available under the tradename ssEDDS® from PalmerResearch Laboratories. Ethylene diamine N,N'- disuccinic acid isparticularly suitable to be used in the compositions of the presentinvention.

Suitable amino carboxylate chelating agents useful herein includeethylene diamine tetra acetates, diethylene triamine pentaacetates,diethylene triamine pentoacetate (DTPA), N-hydroxyethylethylenediaminetriacetates, nitrilotriacetates, ethylenediamine tetraproprionates,triethylenetetraaminehexa-acetates, ethanoldiglycines, propylene diaminetetracetic acid (PDTA) and methyl glycine di-acetic acid (MGDA), both intheir acid form, or in their alkali metal, ammonium, and substitutedammonium salt forms. Particularly suitable to be used herein arediethylene triamine penta acetic acid (DTPA), propylene diaminetetracetic acid (PDTA) which is, for instance, commercially availablefrom BASF under the trade name Trilon FS® and methyl glycine di-aceticacid (MGDA).

Further carboxylate chelating agents to be used herein includes malonicacid, salicylic acid, glycine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, or mixturesthereof.

Typically, the compositions according to the present invention compriseup to 5% by weight of the total composition of a chelating agent, ormixtures thereof, preferably from 0.01% to 3% by weight and morepreferably from 0.01% to 1.5%.

The compositions herein may comprise a radical scavenger as a preferredoptional ingredient. Suitable radical scavengers for use herein includethe well-known known substituted mono and di hydroxy benzenes andderivatives thereof, alkyl- and aryl carboxylates and mixtures thereof.Preferred radical scavengers for use herein include di-tert-butylhydroxy toluene (BHT), p-hydroxy-toluene, hydroquinone (HQ),di-tert-butyl hydroquinone (DTBHQ), mono-tert-butyl hydroquinone(MTBHQ), tert-butyl-hydroxy anysole (BHA), p-hydroxy-anysol, benzoicacid, 2,5-dihydroxy benzoic acid, 2,5-dihydroxyterephtalic acid, toluicacid, catechol, t-butyl catechol, 4-allyl-catechol, 4-acetyl catechol,2-methoxyphenol, 2-ethoxy-phenol, 2-methoxy4-(2-propenyl)phenol,3,4-dihydroxy benzaldehyde, 2,3-dihydroxy benzaldehyde, benzylamine,1,1,3-tris(2-methyl-4-hydroxy-5-t-butylphenyl) butane,tert-butyl-hydroxy-anyline, p-hydroxy anyline as well asn-propyl-gallate. Highly preferred for use herein are di-tert-butylhydroxy toluene, which is for example commercially available from SHELLunder the trade name IONOL CP® and/or tert-butyl-hydroxy anysole. Theseradical scavengers further contribute to the stability of the hydrogenperoxide-containing compositions herein.

Typically, the compositions according to the present invention compriseup to 5% by weight of the total composition of a radical scavenger, ormixtures thereof, preferably from 0.002% to 1.5% by weight and morepreferably from 0.002% to 1%.

The compositions herein may comprise as a preferred optional ingredienta solvent or mixtures thereof. When used, solvents will, advantageously,give an enhanced cleaning to the compositions herein. Suitable solventsfor incorporation in the compositions according to the present inventioninclude propylene glycol derivatives such as n-butoxypropanol orn-butoxypropoxypropanol, water-soluble CARBITOL® solvents orwater-soluble CELLOSOLVE® solvents. Water-soluble CARBITOL® solvents arecompounds of the 2-(2-alkoxyethoxy)ethanol class wherein the alkoxygroup is derived from ethyl, propyl or butyl. A preferred water-solublecarbitol is 2-(2-butoxyethoxy)ethanol also known as butyl carbitol.Water-soluble CELLOSOLVE® solvents are compounds of the2-alkoxyethoxyethanol class, with 2-butoxyethoxyethanol being preferred.Other suitable solvents are benzyl alcohol, methanol, ethanol, isopropylalcohol and diols such as 2-ethyl-1,3-hexanediol and2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol and mixture thereof. Preferred solventsfor use herein are n-butoxypropoxypropanol, butyl carbitol®, benzylalcohol, isopropanol and mixtures thereof. Most preferred solvents foruse herein are butyl carbitol®, benzyl alcohol and/or isopropanol.

The solvents may typically be present within the compositions of theinvention at a level up to 15% by weight, preferably from 2% to 7% byweight of the composition.

The compositions herein may further comprise a variety of other optionalingredients such as buffers (e.g. borate buffers), builders,stabilisers, bleach activators, soil suspenders, dye transfer agents,brighteners, perfumes, anti dusting agents, enzymes, dispersant, dyetransfer inhibitors, pigments, perfumes and dyes.

Packaging Form of the Compositions:

The compositions herein may be packaged in a variety of suitabledetergent packaging known to those skilled in the art. The liquidcompositions herein may desirably be packaged in manually operatedspray-type dispensing containers, which are usually made of syntheticorganic polymeric plastic materials, and preferably in a trigger spraydispenser or pump spray dispenser.

Said spray-type dispensers allow to uniformly applied to a relativelylarge area of a surface to be disinfected the liquid disinfectingcompositions of the present invention, thereby contributing to thedisinfection properties of said compositions. Such spray-type dispensersare particularly suitable to disinfect vertical surfaces.

Suitable spray-type dispensers to be used according to the presentinvention include manually operated foam trigger-type dispensers soldfor example by Specialty Packaging Products, Inc. or ContinentalSprayers, Inc. These types of dispensers are disclosed, for instance, inU.S. Pat. No. 4,701,311 to Dunnining et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 4,646,973and U.S. Pat. No. 4,538,745 both to Focarracci. Particularly preferredto be used herein are spray-type dispensers such as T 8500® ot T 8900®commercially available from Continental Spray International or T 8100®commercially available from Canyon, Northern Ireland. In such adispenser the liquid composition is divided in fine liquid dropletsresulting in a spray that is directed onto the surface to be treated.Indeed, in such a spray-type dispenser the composition contained in thebody of said dispenser is directed through the spray-type dispenser headvia energy communicated to a pumping mechanism by the user as said useractivates said pumping mechanism. More particularly, in said spray-typedispenser head the composition is forced against an obstacle, e.g. agrid or a cone or the like, thereby providing shocks to help atomise theliquid composition, i.e. to help the formation of liquid droplets.

The compositions of the present invention may also be executed in theform of wipes. By "wipes" it is meant herein disposable paper towelsimpregnated with a liquid composition according to the presentinvention. Preferably said wipes are packaged in a plastic box. Theadvantage of this execution is a faster usage of a disinfectingcomposition by the user, this even outside the house, i.e. there is noneed to pour the liquid compositions according to the present inventionon the surfaces to be treated/disinfect and to dry it out with a cloth.In other words, wipes allow disinfection of surfaces in one step.

Process of Disinfecting:

The present invention encompasses a process of disinfecting a surfacewherein a composition comprising a peroxygen bleach, an amphotericsurfactant, glutaraldehyde and an antimicrobial essential oil or anactive thereof, is applied onto said surface.

By "surface" it is meant herein any surface including animate surfacelike human skin, mouth, teeth, and inanimate surfaces. Inanimatesurfaces include, but are not limited to, hard-surfaces typically foundin houses like kitchens, bathrooms, or in car interiors, e.g., tiles,walls, floors, chrome, glass, smooth vinyl, any plastic, plastifiedwood, table top, sinks, cooker tops, dishes, sanitary fittings such assinks, showers, shower curtains, wash basins, WCs and the like, as wellas fabrics including clothes, curtains, drapes, bed linens, bath linens,table cloths, sleeping bags, tents, upholstered furniture and the like,and carpets. Inanimate surfaces also include household appliancesincluding, -but not limited to, refrigerators, freezers, washingmachines, automatic dryers, ovens, microwave ovens, dishwashers and soon.

In the process according to the present invention said composition isapplied in its neat form or after having been diluted with water.Preferably said composition is diluted up to 100 times its weight ofwater, preferably into 80 to 40 times its weight of water and morepreferably 60 to 30, before it is applied to said surface.

In the preferred embodiment of the process of the present inventionwherein said composition is applied to a hard-surface to be disinfectedin its diluted form, it may not be necessary to rinse the surface afterthe composition has been applied, indeed substantially no visibleresidues are left onto said surface.

The present invention will be further illustrated by the followingexamples.

EXAMPLES

The following compositions were made by mixing the listed ingredients inthe listed proportions (weight % unless otherwise specified). Thesecompositions passed the prEN 1276 test-dirty soil conditions (0.3%albumine/hard water) of the European committee of standardisation. Thesecompositions provide excellent disinfection when used neat or diluted,e.g. at 1:100, 1:25, 1:50 dilution levels, on heavy soiled surfaceswhile delivering also good surface safety.

    ______________________________________                                        Compositions I      I1     III  IV   V     VI                                 ______________________________________                                        Hydrogenperoxide                                                                           7.0    6.0    7.0  2.0  7.0   1.0                                  Betaine* 4.5 4.0 3.0 0.1 6.0 0.2                                              Thymol --  0.5 -- -- --                                                       Glutaraldehyde 0.8 0.8 0.5  0.05 0.8  0.15                                    Eugenol 0.5 -- --  0.02 0.5 --                                                Geraniol -- -- 1.0 -- 0.2                                                   Water and minors                                                                           up to 100%                                                         H2SO4 up top pH 4.0                                                         ______________________________________                                        Compositions VII    VIII   IX   X    XI    XII                                ______________________________________                                        Hydrogen peroxide                                                                          7.0    6.0    3.5  2.0  7.0   1.0                                  Betaine* 4.5 4.0 3.0 0.1 6.0 0.2                                              Glutaraldehyde 0.8 0.8 0.5 0.5 0.8  0.15                                      (Thymol/Eugenol/ 2.0 3.0 1.5 1.0 3.0 1.0                                      Geraniol)                                                                   Water and minors                                                                           up to 100%                                                         H2SO4 up to pH 4.0                                                          ______________________________________                                        Compositions XIlI   XIV    XV   XVI  XVII  XVIII                              ______________________________________                                        Hydrogen peroxide                                                                          7.0    6.0    7.0  2.0  7.0   1.0                                  Non-ionic surfactant** 1.2 2.0 1.1 0.5 1.2 --                                 Non-ionic surfactant*** 1.6 -- -- 0.7 1.5 0.4                                 Betaine* 4.5 4.0 3.0 0.1 6.0 0.2                                              Thymol -- 0.5 -- -- -- --                                                     Glutaraldehyde 0.8 0.8 0.5 0.5 0.8  0.15                                      Eugenol 0.5 -- --  0.05 0.5 --                                                Geraniol -- -- 1.0 -- -- 0.2                                                Water and minors                                                                           up to 100%                                                         H2SO4 up to pH 4.0                                                          ______________________________________                                        Compositions XIX    XX     XXI  XXII XXIII XXIV                               ______________________________________                                        Hydrogen peroxide                                                                          7.0    6.0    7.0  2.0  7.0   1.0                                  Non-ionic surfactant** 1.2 2.0 1.1 0.5 1.2 --                                 Non-ionic surfactant*** 1.6 -- -- 0.7 1.5 0.4                                 C10 Amine oxide 1.0 2.0 -- 1.0 -- 0.5                                         C10 Alkyl Sulfate -- -- 4.5 3.0 -- 1.5                                        Betaine* 4.5 4.0 3.0 0.1 6.0 0.2                                              Thymol -- 0.5 -- -- -- --                                                     Glutaraldehyde 0.8 0.8 0.5 0.5 0.8 0.15                                       Eugenol 0.5 -- -- 0.05 0.5 --                                                 Geraniol -- -- 1.0 -- -- 0.2                                                Waterandminors                                                                             up to 100%                                                         H2SO4 up to pH 4.0                                                          ______________________________________                                        Compositions                                                                             XXV     XXVI    XXVII  XXVIII                                                                              XXIX                                  ______________________________________                                        Hydrogen peroxide                                                                        7.0     1.0     2.0    2.0   3.5                                     C10 amine oxide 4.5 0.2 0.8 0.8 3.0                                           Glutaraldehyde 0.8 0.15 0.2 0.2 0.5                                           Thymol -- -- 0.2 0.01 --                                                      Eugenol 0.5 -- -- -- --                                                       Geraniol -- 0.2 0.3  0.02 --                                                  (Thymol/Eugenol/                                                              Geraniol) -- -- -- -- 1.5                                                   Water and minors                                                                         up to 100%                                                           H2SO4 up to pH 4.0                                                          ______________________________________                                         Betaine* is either coconut betaine commercially available from Seppic         under the trade name Amonyl 265 ® or laurylbetaine commercially           available from Albright & Wilson under the trade name Empigen BB/L ®      or mixture thereof.                                                           **is Dobanol 23.3                                                             ***is Dobanol 91.10                                                      

We claim:
 1. A disinfecting composition comprising:a) at least 0.01% byweight of the total composition of a peroxygen bleach, b) at least0.005% by weight of the total composition of a surfactant mixturecomprising at least one amphoteric betaine or sulphobetaine surfactantand at least one amine oxide surfactant, c) at least 0.003% by weight ofthe total composition of glutaraldehyde, and d) at least 0.003% byweight of the total composition of an antimicrobial essential oil, or anactive thereof.
 2. A composition according to claim 1 wherein saidperoxygen bleach is hydrogen peroxide, or a water soluble source thereofselected from the group consisting of percarbonates, persilicates,persulphates, perborates, peroxyacids, dialkylperoxides,diacylperoxides, preformed percarboxylic acids, organic and inorganicperoxides, organic and inorganic hydroperoxides and mixtures thereof. 3.A composition according to claim 2 wherein said peroxygen bleach ishydrogen peroxide.
 4. A composition according to claim 1 wherein saidamphoteric surfactant is a betaine or sulphobetaine surfactantaccordance to the formula ##STR3## wherein R¹ is an alkyl radicalcontaining from 1 to 24 carbon atoms, wherein R² and R³ are methylgroups, wherein n is an integer of from 1 to 10, Y is selected from thegroup consisting of carboxyl and sulfonyl radicals and wherein the sumof the carbon atoms in R¹, R² and R³ radicals is from 14 to 24 and theamine oxide is according to the formula R₁ R₂ R₃ NO wherein each of R¹,R² and R³ is independently a saturated linear or branched hydrocarbonchain containing from 1 to 30 carbon atoms.
 5. A composition accordingto claim 1 wherein said antimicrobial essential oil is obtained fromthyme, lemongrass, citrus, lemons, orange, anise, clove, aniseed,cinnamon, geranium, roses, lavender, citronella, eucalyptus, peppermint,camphor, sandalwood or cedar or mixtures thereof and/or wherein saidactive of essential oil is selected from the group consisting of thymol,eugenol, menthol, cedrol, verbenone, eucalyptol, anethol, pinocarvone,carvacrol, geraniol, hinokitiol, berberine, terpineol, limonene,ratanhiae and mixtures thereof.
 6. A composition according to claim 1wherein said composition comprises from 0.006% to 10% by weight of thetotal composition of said antimicrobial essential oil or active thereof,or mixtures thereof.
 7. A composition according to claim 1 wherein saidcomposition comprises from 0.01% to 4% by weight of the totalcomposition of said antimicrobial essential oil or active thereof, ormixtures thereof.
 8. A composition according to claim 1 wherein saidcomposition comprises from 0.1% to 15% by weight of the totalcomposition of said peroxygen bleach or mixtures thereof.
 9. Acomposition according to claim 1 wherein said composition comprises from1% to 10% by weight of the total composition of said peroxygen bleach ormixtures thereof.
 10. A composition according to claim 1 wherein saidcomposition comprises from 0.01% to 10% by weight of the totalcomposition of the mixture of said amphoteric surfactant and amine oxidesurfactant.
 11. A composition according to claim 1 wherein saidcomposition comprises from 0.1% to 5% by weight of the total compositionof said mixture of amphoteric surfactant and amine oxide surfactant. 12.A composition according to claim 1 wherein said composition comprisesfrom 0.008% to 4% by weight of the total composition of glutaraldehyde.13. A composition according to claim 1 wherein said compositioncomprises from 0.2% to 2% by weight of the total composition ofglutaraldehyde.
 14. A composition according to claim 1 wherein saidcomposition further comprises a chelating agent selected from the groupconsisting of phosphonate chelating agents, aminophosphonate chelatingagents, substituted heteroaromatic chelating agents, amino carboxylatechelating agents, other carboxylate chelating agents,polyfunctionally-substituted aromatic chelating agents, ethylene diamineN,N'- disuccinic acid, and mixtures thereof.
 15. A composition accordingto claim 1 wherein said composition further comprises at least oneingredient selected from the group consisting of anionic surfactants,nonionic fatty alcohol ethoxylate or propoxylate surfactants, cationicsurfactants, zwitterionic surfactants, radical scavengers, solvents,builders, stabilisers, bleach activators, soil suspenders, dye transferagents, brighteners, anti dusting agents, enzymes, dispersants, dyetransfer inhibitors, pigments, perfumes, dyes and mixtures thereof. 16.A composition according to claim 1 wherein said composition is a liquidcomposition.
 17. A composition according to claim 16 wherein saidcomposition is an aqueous liquid composition having a pH of not morethan
 12. 18. A composition according to claim 16 wherein saidcomposition is an aqueous liquid composition having a pH of from 3.5 to7.
 19. A composition according to claim 16 wherein said composition ispackaged in a spray dispenser.
 20. A wipe impregnated with a compositionaccording to claim
 1. 21. A process for disinfecting surfaces wherein acomposition according to claim 17 is applied to said surface.
 22. Aprocess according to claim 21 wherein said composition is applied ontosaid surface after having been diluted up to 100 times its weight withwater.
 23. A process according to claim 21 wherein said composition isapplied onto said surface after having been diluted up to 80 times to 40times its weight with water.
 24. A process according to claim 21 whereinsaid composition is applied onto said surface after having been dilutedup to 60 times to 30 times its weight with water.